Collapsible Water Pipe

ABSTRACT

A collapsible water pipe for combusting herbs has a flexible body to facilitate enhanced portability of the collapsible water pipe. In a deployed configuration, a down stem is positioned through a stem opening in the flexible body, and a bowl is positioned into the down stem. The bowl is in fluid communication with the down stem, which is in turn in fluid communication with a water chamber of the flexible body. Herbs are combusted within the bowl; the resulting smoke being pulled through a liquid within the water chamber to a smoke chamber of the flexible body, where the smoke is then consumed by a user. When not in use, the collapsible water pipe can be arranged into a collapsed configuration. The flexible body is folded in half and the down stem and bowl are positioned within the smoke chamber, while a retention strap is positioned around the flexible body.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patentapplication Ser. No. 61/819,705 filed on May 6, 2013.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to smoking apparatuses. Morespecifically, the present invention is a water pipe for smoking herbalsubstances featuring a collapsible design for enhanced portability.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Smoking is the common practice of combusting herbs in order to releaseactive substances to be consumed. The product of the combustion processis inhaled and absorbed through the lungs. Although many methods andmechanisms of smoking herbs exist, the most common method is rolling theherbs with paper to form a cigarette. While cigarettes are generallyrolled with tobacco, many other types of loose herbs may be packed androlled for consumption by smoking. Despite the widespread prevalence ofsmoking, many health hazards and risks have become associated with thebyproducts of the combustion process. Medical studies have successfullylinked a wide variety of medical problems to smoking including manytypes of cancers, heart attacks/diseases, emphysema, infertility, andbirth defects. Many of these medical problems are a result of the toxicand carcinogenic byproducts of the combustion process of herbs. Apopular alternative to packing and rolling loose herbs for smoking issmoking through a water pipe. A water pipe is a smoking apparatus inwhich smoke from combusting herbs is drawn through water for a smoothersmoking experience. Water pipes potentially offer a more enjoyablesmoking experience and are also capable of reducing the amount ofharmful irritating particles and substances found in unfiltered smoke.Water filtered smoke has been shown to be less harmful than smoke fromcigarettes, cigars, and conventional pipes. Many water pipes arecomposed of glass or plastic and are thus rather fragile. Water pipesare often large and difficult to transport as well. The presentinvention seeks to address the aforementioned issues and provide apractical and convenient solution.

Therefore it is the object of the present invention to provide acollapsible water pipe for combusting and smoking herbs that hasenhanced portability as compared to traditional water pipes. In thepreferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a flexible bodyconstructed from a pliable material. The flexible body defines a smokechamber and water chamber; the water chamber being filled with water orother liquid of the user's choice. The top of the flexible body featuresa mouth opening to allow the user to inhale smoke from the combustedherbs. A stem opening is present on the flexible body as well, foraccommodating a down stem that is in fluid communication with the waterchamber. The down stem supports a bowl, which has a herb receptacle forholding herbs, or other desired substance, during the combustionprocess. The smoke from the combusting herbs is drawn through the bowland the down stem into the water within the water chamber. The smoke isthen pulled through the water into the smoke chamber, where the filteredsmoke is then drawn through the mouth opening for consumption by theuser. When the collapsible water pipe is not in use, the down stem andthe bowl can be removed and the flexible body may be flattened andfolded in half or rolled once the water has been emptied from the waterchamber. This reduces the size of the present invention and allows formore convenient transportation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention in the deployedconfiguration.

FIG. 2 is a right side sectional view of the present invention in thedeployed configuration, wherein the dashed line depicts a fill level fordefining the water chamber.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the present invention in the deployedconfiguration.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the flexible body.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the flexible body.

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the down stem.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the down stem.

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the bowl.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the bowl.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the present invention in the collapsedconfiguration.

FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the present invention in the collapsedconfiguration.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the present invention in the collapsedconfiguration, depicting the bowl and the down stem being positionedwithin the smoke chamber.

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the present invention in the collapsedconfiguration with the addition of a clip coupled to the retentionstrap.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describingselected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limitthe scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a collapsible water pipe for extracting andconsuming the active ingredients in herbal substances. The presentinvention features a collapsible design as to enhance the portability ofthe present invention, thus permitting the present invention to beemployed in any situation. The collapsible water pipe comprises aflexible body 10, a bowl 20, a down stem 30, and a retention strap 40,wherein the components of the present invention can be arranged in botha deployed configuration and a collapsed configuration.

In reference to FIG. 1-3, the flexible body 10 is the main structure ofthe present invention and supports the bowl 20 and the down stem 30. Theflexible body 10 comprises a mouth opening 13, a stem opening 14, alateral wall 11, a base 12, a water chamber 15, and a smoke chamber 16.The flexible body 10 is an elongated, generally thin walled structure,such that the flexible body 10 can be contorted into a number ofconfigurations; namely between the deployed configuration and thecollapsed configuration, wherein the flexible body 10 is folded in half.In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flexible body10 is constructed out of a pliable silicone. More specifically, a healthgrade silicone approved by the Food and Drug Administration is thepreferred material used in the construction of the flexible body 10.However, it is possible for the flexible body to be constructed of anyother pliable material in other embodiments.

In reference to FIG. 4-5, the base 12 is perimetrically connected to thelateral wall 11 and provides a stop end for the lateral wall 11. In thepreferred embodiment of the present invention, the base 12 is taperedtowards the lateral wall 11, such that the base 12 has a larger bottomdiameter in order to provide stability to the flexible body 10 when thepresent invention is in the deployed configuration and placed at rest ona surface. Together, the base 12 and the lateral wall 11 delineate thewater chamber 15. The mouth opening 13 is positioned opposite the base12 along the lateral wall 11. Together, the mouth opening 13 and thelateral wall 11 delineate the smoke chamber 16, wherein the smokechamber 16 is in fluid communication with the water chamber 15.

In reference to FIG. 2, the water chamber 15 encompasses the interiorvolume of the lateral wall 11 that is filled with a liquid, preferablywater, when the present invention is in use in the deployedconfiguration. The smoke chamber 16, on the other hand encompasses theinterior volume of the lateral wall 11 that is not filled with saidliquid. As such, the exact dimensions of both the water chamber 15 andthe smoke chamber 16 are dependent on the volume of the liquid providedby the user. Typically only a small volume of the liquid is required incomparison to the total interior volume of the lateral wall 11, and assuch the water chamber 15 is limited to the bottom half portion of thelateral wall 11 in the deployed configuration.

In further reference to FIG. 2, the stem opening 14 traverses throughthe second section and provides a means for engaging the down stem 30with the flexible body 10. In the deployed configuration, the down stem30 is positioned through the stem opening 14 and into the water chamber15, wherein the down stem 30 is attached to the lateral wall 11 by africtional fit. In reference to FIG. 6-7, the down stem 30 is anelongated member and comprises a secondary smoke channel 31 thattraverses along the length of the down stem 30. When the down stem 30 ispositioned through the stem opening 14, the secondary smoke channel 31is in fluid communication with the water chamber 15, as depicted in FIG.2.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the down stem 30further comprises a tapered end 32, as depicted in FIG. 6. When in thedeployed configuration, the tapered end 32 is positioned into the stemopening 14 opposite the water chamber 15, wherein the small end of thetapered end 32 engages the lateral wall 11, as shown in FIG. 1-2. As thetapered end 32 engages the lateral wall 11 around the stem opening 14,an airtight seal is formed between the tapered end 32 and the lateralwall 11.

Furthermore, in the deployed configuration, the bowl 20 is attached tothe down stem 30, as shown in FIG. 1-2. In reference to FIG. 8-9, thebowl 20 comprises a herb receptacle 21, a stem connector 22, and aprimary smoke channel 23; the herb receptacle 21 being adjacentlyconnected to the stem connector 22 and the primary smoke channel 23traversing through both the herb receptacle 21 and the stem connector22. The stem connector 22 is also an elongated member and is positionedinto the secondary smoke channel 31 opposite the water chamber 15, suchthat the herb receptacle 21 is accessible to the user, and wherein theprimary smoke channel 23 is in fluid communication with the secondarysmoke channel 31, as shown in FIG. 2.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bowl 20further comprises a gasket 24, as shown in FIG. 8. The gasket 24 isperimetrically connected to the stem connector 22 and engages thetapered end 32 of the down stem 30 when the bowl 20 is attached to thedown stem 30, as shown in FIG. 1-2. As the gasket 24 engages the downstem 30, an airtight seal is formed between the gasket 24 and the downstem 30.

When in use the desired liquid is poured into the flexible body 10, thusdefining the size of the water chamber 15, wherein the down stem 30protrudes through the stem opening 14 into the water chamber 15. Thedesired herbs or substance to be smoked is then selected by the user andplaced within the herb receptacle 21. The user then places his or hermouth over the mouth opening 13 creating a seal between the flexiblebody 10 and their mouth. The herbs, or other substance, is then lit,while the user inhales through the mouth opening 13. As the userinhales, smoke produced from the burning of the herbs is directedthrough the primary smoke channel 23 and the secondary smoke channel 31into the water chamber 15. As the smoke enters the water chamber 15, thesmoke is cooled by the liquid and passes through the liquid in theformation of bubbles. The smoke then breaks the surface of the liquidand enters the smoke chamber 16. When a sufficient amount of smoke hasbeen collected within the smoke chamber 16, the bowl 20 is removed fromthe down stem 30 and the user is able to inhale the smoke as fresh airis pulled in behind through the secondary smoke channel 31.

In reference to FIG. 10-11, the present invention can be readily stowedor transported when in the collapsed configuration. In the collapsedconfiguration, the bowl 20 is detached from the down stem 30 and thedown stem 30 is detached from the flexible body 10. The flexible body 10is then bent in half about the folded section, wherein the first sectionand the second section are positioned adjacent to each other. Both thedown stem 30 and the bowl 20 are then positioned into portion of thesmoke chamber 16 delineated by the first section, through the mouthopening 13, as depicted in FIG. 12. The retention strap 40 is thenpositioned around the flexible body 10, such that the flexible body 10is held in the collapsed position and both the down stem 30 and the bowl20 are securely held within the smoke chamber 16 by a frictional fit asthe lateral wall 11 clamps around both the down stem 30 and the bowl 20.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the retentionstrap 40 is constructed from a single, elastic piece of material, suchas a soft rubber. In this way, the retention strap 40 is simplystretched around the flexible body 10 in order to secure the flexiblebody 10 in the folded position and provides force such that the lateralwall 11 clamps around both the bowl 20 and the down stem 30 in order tosecure the bowl 20 and down stem 30 within the smoke chamber 16 by africtional fit. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, theretention strap 40 may be inelastic and comprise a locking mechanism,such as a pair of hook and loop fasteners, a male and female snap, abuckle, etc. This would allow the user to tighten the retention strap 40to his or her liking.

The flexible body 10 can also be stowed in an alternative collapsedconfiguration, wherein the flexible body 10 is rolled along the lengthof the flexible body 10. The end portion of the flexible body 10, eitherby the base 12 or the mouth opening 13, is first folded over, and theflexible body 10 is then rolled to the opposite end. The retention strap40 is then positioned around the flexible body 10 in order to preventthe flexible body 10 from unraveling. The bowl 20 and the down stem 30can be placed perpendicularly along the flexible body 10, such that thebowl 20 and the down stem 30 are rolled within the flexible body 10 andfrictionally held in place.

In reference to FIG. 13, the present invention may further comprise aclip 50. The clip 50 is coupled to the retention strap 40 eitherdirectly or indirectly, and allows for enhanced transportation of thepresent invention. The clip 50 provides the ability to quickly attachand detach the present invention to a number of fastening points when inthe collapsed configuration. For example, while on a hike, the presentinvention can be attached externally to a backpack or belt loop, suchthat the present invention is readily accessible to be deployed.Preferably the clip 50 is a carabiner, however, the clip 50 can be anyother type of temporary fastener.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferredembodiment, it is to be understood that many other possiblemodifications and variations can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A collapsible water pipe comprises: a flexiblebody; a bowl; a down stem; the flexible body comprises a mouth opening,a stem opening, a lateral wall, a base, a water chamber, and a smokechamber; the bowl comprises a herb receptacle, a stem connector, and aprimary smoke channel; the down stem comprises a secondary smokechannel; the base being perimetrically connected to the lateral wall;the mouth opening being positioned opposite the base along the lateralwall; the water chamber being delineated by the base and the lateralwall; the stem opening traversing through the lateral wall adjacent tothe base; the smoke chamber being delineated by the mouth opening andthe lateral wall, wherein the smoke chamber is in fluid communicationwith the water chamber; the herb receptacle being adjacently connectedto the stem connector; the primary smoke channel traversing through theherb receptacle and the stem connector; and the secondary smoke channeltraversing along the down stem.
 2. The collapsible water pipe as claimedin claim 1 comprises: the down stem being attached to the lateral wall;the down stem being positioned through the stem opening and into thewater chamber; the secondary smoke channel being in fluid communicationwith the water chamber; the bowl being attached to the down stem; thestem connector being positioned into the secondary smoke channelopposite the water chamber; and the primary smoke channel being in fluidcommunication with the secondary smoke channel.
 3. The collapsible waterpipe as claimed in claim 2 comprises: the bowl further comprises agasket; the gasket being perimetrically connected to the stem connector;and the gasket engaging the down stem, wherein an airtight seal isformed between the gasket and the down stem.
 4. The collapsible waterpipe as claimed in claim 2 comprises: the down stem further comprises atapered end; the tapered end being positioned into the stem openingopposite the water chamber; and the tapered end engaging the lateralwall, wherein an airtight seal is formed between the tapered end and thelateral wall.
 5. The collapsible water pipe as claimed in claim 1comprises: a retention band; the lateral wall being folded in half,wherein the base and the mouth opening are positioned adjacent to eachother; the down stem and the bowl being positioned within the smokechamber; and the retention band being positioned around the flexiblebody.
 6. The collapsible water pipe as claimed in claim 5, wherein theretention band is elastic.
 7. The collapsible water pipe as claimed inclaim 5 comprises: a clip; and the clip being coupled to the retentionband.
 8. The collapsible water pipe as claimed in claim 1, wherein theherb receptacle is tapered towards the stem connector.
 9. Thecollapsible water pipe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible bodyis constructed from silicone.
 10. A collapsible water pipe comprises: aflexible body; a bowl; a down stem; the flexible body comprises a mouthopening, a stem opening, a lateral wall, a base, a water chamber, and asmoke chamber; the bowl comprises a herb receptacle, a stem connector,and a primary smoke channel; the down stem comprises a secondary smokechannel; the base being perimetrically connected to the lateral wall;the mouth opening being positioned opposite the base along the lateralwall; the water chamber being delineated by the base and the lateralwall; the stem opening traversing through the lateral wall adjacent tothe base; the smoke chamber being delineated by the mouth opening andthe lateral wall, wherein the smoke chamber is in fluid communicationwith the water chamber; the herb receptacle being adjacently connectedto the stem connector; the primary smoke channel traversing through theherb receptacle and the stem connector; the secondary smoke channeltraversing along the down stem; the down stem being attached to thelateral wall; the down stem being positioned through the stem openingand into the water chamber; the secondary smoke channel being in fluidcommunication with the water chamber; the bowl being attached to thedown stem; the stem connector being positioned into the secondary smokechannel opposite the water chamber; and the primary smoke channel beingin fluid communication with the secondary smoke channel.
 11. Thecollapsible water pipe as claimed in claim 10 comprises: the bowlfurther comprises a gasket; the gasket being perimetrically connected tothe stem connector; and the gasket engaging the down stem, wherein anairtight seal is formed between the gasket and the down stem.
 12. Thecollapsible water pipe as claimed in claim 10 comprises: the down stemfurther comprises a tapered end; the tapered end being positioned intothe stem opening opposite the water chamber; and the tapered endengaging the lateral wall, wherein an airtight seal is formed betweenthe tapered end and the lateral wall.
 13. The collapsible water pipe asclaimed in claim 10, wherein the herb receptacle is tapered towards thestem connector.
 14. The collapsible water pipe as claimed in claim 10,wherein the flexible body is constructed from silicone.
 15. Acollapsible water pipe comprises: a flexible body; a bowl; a down stem;a retention band; the flexible body comprises a mouth opening, a stemopening, a lateral wall, a base, a water chamber, and a smoke chamber;the bowl comprises a herb receptacle, a stem connector, and a primarysmoke channel; the down stem comprises a secondary smoke channel; thebase being perimetrically connected to the lateral wall; the mouthopening being positioned opposite the base along the lateral wall; thewater chamber being delineated by the base and the lateral wall; thestem opening traversing through the lateral wall adjacent to the base;the smoke chamber being delineated by the mouth opening and the lateralwall, wherein the smoke chamber is in fluid communication with the waterchamber; the herb receptacle being adjacently connected to the stemconnector; the primary smoke channel traversing through the herbreceptacle and the stem connector; the secondary smoke channeltraversing along the down stem; the lateral wall being folded in half,wherein the base and the mouth opening are positioned adjacent to eachother; the down stem and the bowl being positioned within the smokechamber, wherein the down stem and bowl can be removed for use in adeployed configuration; and the retention band being positioned aroundthe flexible body, wherein the retention band can be removed to unfoldthe flexible body.
 16. The collapsible water pipe as claimed in claim15, wherein the retention band is elastic.
 17. The collapsible waterpipe as claimed in claim 15 comprises: a clip; and the clip beingcoupled to the retention band.
 18. The collapsible water pipe as claimedin claim 15, wherein the flexible body is constructed from silicone. 19.The collapsible water pipe as claimed in claim 15 comprises: the bowlfurther comprises a gasket; and the gasket being perimetricallyconnected to the stem connector.
 20. The collapsible water pipe asclaimed in claim 15, wherein the herb receptacle is tapered towards thestem connector.